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Tuskegee Airmen Experiences in World War II | World War II Stories

The Tuskegee Airmen, officially known as the 332nd fighter group, were the first African Americans to fly planes in the U.S. military. Although they faced severe discrimination in the country and mandates of the Jim Crow laws in the south, they volunteered in large numbers to help fight in World War II. This segment of Iowa Public Television's Iowa’s WWII Stories includes historical footage and profiles an Iowa veteran and member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

World War II

Seeds of War

The seeds of World War II were sown in the treaties that ended World War I. As a result, dictatorships arose in Germany and Italy. Benito Mussolini led the Fascists in Italy, and Adolph Hitler led the Nazis in Germany. At the same time, a military dictatorship grew in Japan. Although Japan had an Emperor, the country was actually controlled by a military team led by men named Tojo and Yamamoto. Aggression by each of these three countries led to instability among their neighbors, and outright warfare in several areas.

The Lines Are Drawn

During all of these events the League of Nations, forerunner of the United Nations, was powerless to control any of the war-like activities. Governments in Britain and France tried to negotiate through diplomatic channels. But they weren't successful. War finally was declared in Europe when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Germany, Italy and Japan became knows as the Axis powers. After World War II began the opposing countries, including Russia, were called the Allies.

The U.S. Joins the War

The United States entered World War II on December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese had attacked U.S. military and naval bases at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. Because Japan was considered an Axis power, the U.S. declared war on Japan, Germany and Italy too.

Wartime measures went into effect quickly. There was a draft of young men for the armed services. Rationing was instituted on gasoline, rubber, automobiles, clothing and food. Sale of war bonds to finance the war began. Prices were controlled. Factories were converted to the production of military items such as tanks, rifles, ammunition, airplanes and ships. People on the "Home Front" were encouraged to conserve energy, to plant "Victory Gardens" and to buy war bonds. Adults and children across the country collected salvage materials such as copper, aluminum and scrap iron.

Men and Women Join the Military

This was the first war in which women could serve on active duty. The Women's Army Auxiliary Corp (WAAC), the Women Air force Service Pilots (WASPS) and the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) were three branches of service for women. Families with members in military service hung flags in the front windows of their houses along with a blue star for each member. If a family member was killed in action, a gold star was substituted, leading to the organization of the "Gold Star Mothers."

Workers Help the War Effort

During World War II the induction of young men into the armed forces led to labor shortages at home. Women were employed outside the home in greater numbers than ever before, doing work customarily thought to be "men's work" such as assembly line jobs in factories. This led to a new nickname for these women—"Rosie the Riveter."

Fear at Home

As during any war, there were fears of attack. Many feared bombing by the Japanese. They feared German spies and were alert for subversive talk or action. Even though the danger of air raids was slight, many installed "black-out curtains" for their windows. They held black-out sessions closing off any light to the outside.

Life Was Never the Same Again

World War II ended in 1945. Returning soldiers, called "GIs", came back to a different society where women did all kinds of work, urban jobs outnumbered farm jobs, and where a federal program called the "G.I. Bill" allowed veterans to attend college at government expense. Thousands of veterans received college degrees as a result of this program.

The second world war in the 20th century took its toll on the world and the United States. Those who went to far-reaching areas of the world—far from home—contributed to the war effort firsthand. Many of those individuals returned to their homes and many are still able to share their stories.

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